Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide. On average one in six people (one in five women and one in eight men) will experience depression at some stage of their lives. There are degrees of depression of course, ranging from minor (but still disabling) through to very severe. Given its severity and its widespread nature depression is a focus for plenty of research and many interventions. Pharmaceutical treatments have a measure of success but at a cost in terms of side-effects and dependency so the search is on for effective but gentler treatments and according to a new study one may have been found in the plant Rhodiola rosea, known by the common name of “golden root†or “roserootâ€.
Across the centuries Golden Root has been used as a medicine for a variety of disorders. In 77 CE the Greek physician Dioscorides documented the medical applications of the plant. The Vikings depended on the herb to enhance their physical strength and endurance, while Chinese emperors sent expeditions to Siberia to bring back “the golden root†for medicinal preparations. The people of central Asia considered a tea brewed from Golden Root to be an effective treatment for cold and flu.
In modern times Golden Root was part of the Soviet Union’s great push to compete with the West in military development, the arms race, space exploration, Olympic sports, science, medicine and industry. Many of these effects of Golden Root come from its ability to help the body adapt to, and deal with, stress. Now in a new study it has been found effective in treating depression.
The study involved adults who had experienced two or more major depressive episodes, depressed mood or loss of interest in activities for at least two weeks, and other depressive symptoms such as weight gain, fatigue and recurring thoughts of death.
For 12 weeks the subjects received either Golden Root extract, an antidepressant drug sertraline or a placebo. Although the subjects taking sertraline were slightly more likely to report improved symptoms compared to those taking Golden Root the difference was not statistically significant and the Golden Root led to fewer side effects.
Sertraline resulted in 1.9 times the chance of improvement in symptoms compared to the placebo group where Golden Root showed a 1.4 chance of improvement. However, 63 per cent of people taking sertraline reported side-effects compared to only 30 per cent on Golden Root. The researchers conclude that this means Golden Root has a more favourable risk to benefit ratio than sertraline for treating mild to moderate depression.
Depression should never be treated lightly or self-medicated but this research certainly makes Golden Root worthy of discussion with your health professional if you are dealing with this widespread health issue.
